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Dance Choir |
The Liturgical Dance Choir of University Church has a long history of involvement of many people over the years. We recognize from our experience that dance is a way to involve young people in workship in a creative way. Sometimes when we are rehearsing a dance for the 25th year in a row, we ask ourselves if we should still be dancing the same dances over and over again. Julie Less reminds us that over the years we have created the "Folk Dances" of University Church that are meant to be danced regularly as part of the culture of our congregation. It will not surprise current members, but may interest former members, that often at the all-church retreat, we practice the Palm Sunday dances en masse, and now many participants understand the process of "re-membering " the dance each year. And although they may not be on the floor dancing Palm Sunday morning, they are participating with us in a real way.
So we will continue to dance the old, create the new, and use this art form as a version of embodied prayer. We are grateful that this congregation has supported us for more than 25 years in this creative expression. We always welcome new members of all ages, genders, and abilities and hope that some of you will come move with us.
This photo is of a dance choreographed to "Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Weber's requiem. The dance is a memorial for those who have died, and symbolizes the assurance of comfort for mourners. The pose pictured here comes when the soloist sings "who takes away the sins of the world." The Liturgical Dance Choir offers this dance annually on the Sunday nearest All Saints Day, and honor those members of our church family who have died during the previous year.
Dancers, clockwise from bottom: Julie Less, Sophia Weaver, Colleen Patikas, Irene Rogers, Stephanie Weaver, May Hunter-Smith, Gloria Andrews, Rosalind Weaver, Madeline Hamblin, Diane Herrmann, Trudy Davis
This photo is of a dance choreographed to "Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Weber's Requiem. In this pose, the dancers are preparing to ask for mercy in the part of the mass that sings "Agnus Dei". This dance was choreographed by the Liturgical Dance Choir over a period of several months, and includes a duet with an adult dancer and a small child to begin the dance.
Dancers, left to right: Front row Rosalind Weaver, Madeline Hamblin Row 2: Diane Herrmann, Colleen Patikas, Sophia Weaver, Gloria Andrews Row 3: Trudy Davis, May Hunter-Smith Row 4: Julie Less, Stephanie Weaver, Irene Rogers
This photo is of a dance choreographed to "Sister" by Chris Williamson. In this dance, we celebrate the support of sisters and friends. Here, the pose goes with the words "Born of the earth." The Liturgical Dance Choir includes adult and youth members, and we even have one dance that uses moms and babies in arms.
Dancers (left to right): Stephanie Weaver, Colleen Patikas, Sophia Weaver, Trudy Davis, Madeline Hamblin, Julie Less, Diane Herrmann, Irene Rogers, Gloria Andrews, May Hunter-Smith
This photo is of a dance choreographed to "Sister" by Chris Williamson. In this pose, we are expressing in movement the words. "Lean on me, I am your sister; believe on me, I am your friend." We often dance this dance on Mother's Day. We have also used this dance as a comfort at memorial services, and as an inspiration at ordinations to ministry.
Dancers (left to right): Stephanie Weaver, Colleen Patikas, Sophia Weaver, Trudy Davis, Madeline Hamblin, Julie Less, Diane Herrmann, Irene Rogers, Gloria Andrews, May Hunter-Smith